[ There's only the slightest huff of laughter as Sylvain mentions commitment— there's not much to be said about the obvious really, but he does watch Sylvain's body language. And he finds that he's a bit too attentive to it, a realization that he's finding himself having again every time he sees him.

It's difficult not to, having known- and cared for Sylvain for as long as he has. Even as he watched him hide so much of his suffering behind a careless smile and dismissed concern—

It's not like he didn't want to support him whenever times got hard. For all that Sylvain's decided to show himself to be, he knows there's more to him- always has, and it's always saddened him when Sylvain has downplayed that.

With a sigh, once he's done talking, he falls quiet as he looks down. Would he be prepared to have this conversation again?

It they forget- no. He knows his feelings were present even before he came here. And Byleth..

He reached out his hand. ]

... no. It won't matter.

[ He turns his gaze back to Sylvain. ]

Regardless of what happens here— even if I forget this place, my feelings for him will be as they were before I came here. That won't change. He saved me, Sylvain. I dread to think what would have happened had he not...

[ And right now, the thought of dying to his vengeance seems so pointless. ]

Forgive me. I'm... just not sure how to progress. This is all so new to me.

[ He lifts his gaze, almost looking like that rather lost and confused student at Garreg Mach, hoping to get Sylvain's aid for something he hasn't ever pursued before. ]